Lufthansa Cargo has officially commissioned the first and most significant phase of its ambitious LCCevo infrastructure project at Frankfurt Airport, marking a major milestone in the airline’s €600 million investment programme to modernise its flagship cargo hub.
The completion of the ALPHA construction phase was celebrated alongside representatives from the aviation industry, business and government, signalling the beginning of operations at what will eventually become Europe’s most technologically advanced air cargo hub.
Covering approximately 80,000 square metres—the equivalent of around 11 football fields—the project involves the complete modernisation of the Lufthansa Cargo Center (LCC) while maintaining uninterrupted 24/7 cargo operations. Once fully completed in 2030, LCCevo will redefine cargo handling standards through automation, intelligent cargo flows and next-generation warehouse technology.
At the heart of the new facility are advanced material flow and conveyor systems designed to seamlessly connect every stage of the cargo handling process. These smart technologies significantly improve operational efficiency while accelerating the movement of freight throughout the hub.
One of the project’s standout features is a 42-metre-high fully automated high-bay warehouse capable of storing nearly 3,000 large cargo pallets. The infrastructure also includes a cutting-edge automated pallet warehouse dedicated to temperature-sensitive and specialised shipments. Thanks to the new technology, the high-bay warehouse alone will perform more than 300 storage and retrieval operations per hour, effectively doubling handling capacity.
Ashwin Bhat, Chief Executive Officer of Lufthansa Cargo, described the launch of the ALPHA phase as the moment when years of planning became reality.
He said LCCevo represents one of the largest investments in the company’s history and demonstrates Lufthansa Cargo’s long-term commitment to Frankfurt as one of the world’s leading air cargo hubs. With the airline currently handling nearly every second metric ton of air freight passing through Frankfurt Airport, the investment is intended to strengthen both the company’s operational capabilities and Germany’s competitiveness in global trade.
According to Bhat, the combination of intelligent cargo flows, highly automated processes and state-of-the-art infrastructure will allow Lufthansa Cargo to meet the growing demands of international supply chains while creating the foundation for future expansion.
The project has also received strong political backing. Kaweh Mansoori, Hessian Minister for Economic Affairs and Transport and Deputy Minister-President, highlighted Lufthansa Cargo’s crucial role in making Hesse one of Europe’s leading logistics regions. He noted that investments such as LCCevo reinforce Frankfurt’s competitiveness, accelerate cargo processes and help secure long-term economic growth, high-quality employment and sustainable value creation.
Stefan Schnorr, State Secretary at Germany’s Federal Ministry of Transport, also underlined the strategic importance of air freight for key national industries, including pharmaceuticals, mechanical engineering and semiconductor manufacturing. He said reliable, secure and efficient access to international markets remains essential for German businesses and welcomed Lufthansa Group’s continued commitment to strengthening the country’s position as a global cargo hub.
The inauguration of the ALPHA phase coincides with the Lufthansa Group’s 100th anniversary, offering a symbolic bridge between the company’s history and its future ambitions. Since its foundation in 1926, when transporting mail and cargo formed part of its original mission, Lufthansa has evolved into one of the world’s leading air cargo providers, connecting global markets under its mission of “Enabling Global Business.”
The transformation is far from complete. Additional construction phases, BRAVO and CHARLIE, will follow over the coming years, bringing the full redevelopment of the Lufthansa Cargo Center to completion by 2030.
Alongside greater efficiency and handling capacity, sustainability remains a core element of the project. Lufthansa Cargo will install photovoltaic panels across approximately 19,000 square metres of roof space, while modern building technologies, intelligent heat recovery systems and extensive green roofing will contribute to reducing both energy consumption and carbon emissions, supporting the company’s long-term environmental objectives.
